The portal spat Kael back into the basement, the transition jarring, disorienting. He stumbled, his legs shaky beneath him, the adrenaline of the realm fading, leaving him acutely aware of every bruise, every scrape, every throbbing ache that resonated through his battered body. The weight of his recent victory, the raw power he’d wielded, seemed to linger in the air, a faint, metallic tang that mingled with the familiar scent of dust and decay.
The basement was cool and musty, the air thick with the scent of old stone and decay. The faint sound of dripping water echoed from somewhere in the shadows, the only break in the oppressive silence. It felt like a tomb, this place— a forgotten space where shadows danced and secrets whispered in the stillness. But it was also a sanctuary, a haven from the relentless chaos of the world above.
He sank down onto the cold stone floor, his back against the rough surface, letting out a sigh that was a mixture of relief and exhaustion. He’d made it back, for now. The knowledge offered a fleeting sense of security, a fragile moment of respite in a world that seemed determined to grind him down. But the tension didn't leave him. He knew, deep in his gut, that there was always another challenge, another fight just around the corner. The realms wouldn’t wait. Neither would his enemies.
He summoned the System screen, the familiar blue light flickering into view, illuminating the basement’s dark corners with its stark, clinical glow. His gaze swept over the data, his mind still buzzing with the echoes of the fight, the adrenaline fading, leaving behind a hollow ache that resonated deep within his bones. Three stat points. Three skill points.
Realm Cleansed...
Realm Energy Extracted...
Refining...
Converting...
Imbuing...
Gained 3 Stat Points
Gained 3 Skill Points
Void Shard Slots Replenished
Rewards Received:
50XP
Course Hide(Common) x2
Sharp Tooth (Common) x2
Irridescent Shard(Uncommon)
It wasn’t much, not really. But it was something. Every point, every scrap of power gained, was another step forward. Every piece of loot, every resource gathered, was another potential tool in his fight for survival. He couldn’t afford to be careless, couldn't afford to let sentiment or exhaustion cloud his judgment.
The System screen cast a soft, blue glow, the text crisp and clear against the background of the dim basement. His eyes strained slightly, adjusting to the light after the realm’s harsh, barren glare. Each number, each skill description, held a promise, a glimpse of the path he was forging, the future he was struggling to create. He could feel his heart pounding, the adrenaline from the fight slowly ebbing away, leaving him drained, but strangely exhilarated. This was his life now. He was a player in this game, a pawn who’d somehow learned to move a little faster, strike a little harder. A small victory, a flicker of pride amidst the fear and uncertainty that shadowed his every move.
“Three stat points… three skill points,” he whispered, his voice a rough rasp in the silence. He needed to think carefully, plan each allocation. This wasn't just about getting stronger; it was about survival. This was his world now. A world of numbers, of systems, of quantifiable progress and incremental gains that somehow translated to the sweat on his skin, the blood drying on his hands, the aching muscles that screamed in protest with every move.
His gaze shifted to his Status screen, fingers hovering over the sub-skills, his mind replaying the last fight in slow motion. It was all so different now. He wasn’t just reacting instinctively, flailing in the darkness. He was… calculating, anticipating, adapting. His mind, honed by fear and necessity, saw patterns, predicted movements, strategized. The System’s intervention, a strange, invasive force that had initially felt like a violation, was becoming a tool, a weapon he could wield.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Strength wasn't enough. He’d felt it in the last battle - the way his arms had strained under the weight of his club-hammer, the sluggishness that had almost cost him his life. Dexterity, coordination – those had been his saving grace, the ability to react in a split second, to maneuver around the creature’s attacks, had kept him alive. He needed to be tougher. One point each to Agility, Coordination, and Vitality. The numbers shifted on the screen, the adjustment reflected in his own body— a subtle tightening in his muscles, a sharpening of his senses. It was more than just a visual representation, it was a real, tangible change that he could feel resonating through his very being.
Kael scrolled down, his gaze scanning the familiar list of skills. He needed to prioritize, choose wisely. Brute force alone wouldn’t be enough. He had to be smarter, more resourceful, to adapt to the ever-shifting challenges. Two points into Blunt Weapons. It felt good to see the level increase. The familiar weight of his club-hammer seemed to hum with newfound power, its potential mirrored in the numbers that quantified his progress. One more point into Survival Instincts. He was learning to trust those whispers of intuition, those flashes of awareness that warned him of danger before he even fully understood the threat. They were more than just gut feelings, more than simple luck. The System had validated them, woven them into the fabric of his existence, turning them into a quantifiable asset. He was becoming a predator.
He dismissed the screen, the blue light fading from view. The basement, with its usual oppressive darkness, seemed… less threatening now. It was still a tomb, a space of silence and shadow. But it was his tomb. His refuge. His space to prepare for the next battle. He took a deep breath, testing his lungs, feeling the faint, rhythmic pulse of the Void Shard within him. A steady warmth spread through his limbs, a constant reminder of the power he was learning to control. He didn’t understand it, this energy that had invaded his being, but he was starting to feel a strange kinship with it, a shared sense of purpose. They were in this together, bound by a destiny he couldn't begin to understand.
He stretched, his stiff muscles protesting with a chorus of aches and pops. His gaze shifted to the portal, a shadowy outline against the basement wall, pulsing with an energy that both beckoned and repelled him. It was time to move on, to face the next challenge. The thought sent a tremor of fear through him, a familiar sensation that he now recognized, acknowledged, but didn’t let control him.
Void Shard Has One Free Slot Remaining. Use Slot? Y/N
Closing his eyes, he focused on the Shard, feeling its energy respond to his will, the world around him blurring as the portal materialized.
Verdant Greens
Tier: Tin
Realm Boss: Level 4
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No hesitation. No fear. He was ready. Stepping into the swirling energy, the world fell away, and he embraced the darkness.
The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves hit Kael first—a heady mix that was both familiar and alien. He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the filtered light, the verdant greens of the forest canopy a stark contrast to the barren landscapes of the previous realms. He stood on the edge of a dense woodland, trees crowding in on all sides, their branches intertwining overhead, forming a dense, leafy canopy that filtered the light, casting the forest floor in a dappled mosaic of shadow and sunlight. Vines draped like emerald curtains from branches, their leaves thick and glossy, their tendrils reaching towards the earth like grasping fingers.
The air, heavy with humidity, felt alive— buzzing with insects, filled with the trill of unseen birds. He took a deep breath, savoring the sensation, a welcome contrast to the thin, dry air of the previous realms. This place… It felt almost… inviting.
He glanced down at the rough dirt path beneath his feet, noting the faint traces of other creatures—paw prints, the scrapes of claws, the delicate trails left by insects. The ground was soft, damp with recent rain, and a blanket of emerald moss covered the exposed roots and fallen logs, adding a vibrant hue to the forest floor.